Welcome to our Music curriculum page where you will find a range of information about Music at Endeavour Academy. Our subject leader for Music is Mrs Plummer.
INTENT:
As musicians at Endeavour Academy, we want our learners to be engaged and inspired to appreciate music and to develop their talents. This will enable them to become more creative, more confident and gain a sense of achievement. Through exposure to the works of the great composers and musicians they will experience a range of historical periods, styles and genres. They will have opportunities to perform, use their voices and learn to play a musical instrument and will develop the ability to appraise, compose and analyse music and understand how it is created.
Characteristics of an Endeavour Musician:
- A rapidly widening repertoire which they use to create original, imaginative, fluent and distinctive composing and performance work.
- A musical understanding underpinned by high levels of aural perception, internalisation and knowledge of music, including high or rapidly developing levels of technical expertise.
- Very good awareness and appreciation of different musical traditions and genres.
- An excellent understanding of how musical provenance - the historical, social and cultural origins of music - contributes to the diversity of musical styles.
- The ability to give precise written and verbal explanations, using musical terminology effectively, accurately and appropriately.
- A passion for and commitment to a diverse range of musical activities.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Music is taught through a discrete timetabled lesson each week. At Endeavour Academy we follow the National Curriculum for Music and deliver engaging practical, interactive activities based on enjoyable pieces of music from a wide range of genre. Teaching and learning in music is guided by the award winning ‘Charanga Musical School’ scheme of work. This was selected for its emphasis on musical vocabulary enabling pupils to talk about pieces of music using the correct terminology and its integrated approach to music where the dimensions of music (pulse, rhythm, pitch etc), singing and playing instruments are all linked enabling children to be involved in continuous genuine music making. Our whole school overview of learning in music can be viewed here.
Music - Overview
Teaching and learning in music is organised around school identified key concepts that we refer to as ‘big ideas’. These big ideas enable us to focus our attention on the most meaningful content which for music we have identified as:
- Creating,
- Performing,
- Listening and appraising
- Dimensions of Music (e.g. pitch, tempo, etc.)
Knowledge, skills and understanding in music are developed around these same ideas and built progressively year on year. Our school progression document illustrates how this is mapped out across school and is used by staff to reinforce, build upon and make links between prior learning, in turn supporting pupils to know more and remember more on their journey through school.
Music - Progression
At Endeavour Academy we are committed to using opportunities within music teaching and learning to educate our pupils to be the best versions of themselves in order to become valuable and fully rounded members of society. Our music curriculum is designed to encompass meaningful SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) development and promote British Values through a variety of engaging learning experiences. You can read more about our integrated approach to personal development through music below:
Music - SMSC
IMPACT
The music subject leader, supported by the Headteacher and Senior Leaders, takes responsibility for ensuring children are progressing as expected in music. They regularly monitor planning, lessons and children’s work to evaluate curriculum delivery and standards. Teachers complete music assessments termly and this data is used by the music leader to inform curriculum developments. Pupils are also regularly asked to reflect on their learning. Some examples of this can be seen below.
- I enjoy music because we listen to lots of different types. I can talk about it more because I have learned things like dynamics is how loud or quiet something is and tempo is talking about the speed of the music (LKS2 pupil)
- I have learned that when the style of music is the same they often use the same instruments (UKS2 pupil)
ASPIRATIONS
As part of our commitment to raising aspirations for all pupils we want to develop an awareness in our pupils of available opportunities open to them and an understanding of how learning music can be useful to them in their everyday lives or in their future careers. Here are some jobs pupils can aspire to as musicians:
- Audio Designer for Video Games
- RAF Musician
- Casting Director
- Theatre Performer
More ideas can be found at First Careers - Careers in Music
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD WITH MUSIC
1 - Create homemade instruments with household items
Creating instruments together can be a fun activity and the instruments can then be used to explore different aspects of music. Try creating shakers by using pasta and rice in empty bottles. You could also try using bottles either with filled with varying degrees of water or empty and scraping them with spoons or twigs to make sounds, or just upturned pans and colanders.
2 - Make your own simple guitar
Using tissue boxes, shoe boxes without the lids or fruit punnets you can create a string-type instrument. Use the box for the base of the instrument and take four to six rubber bands. Wrap the rubber bands around the base, the long way, and make sure there is space between the rubber bands. Experiment with ways of making sounds with the bands. Also try using small pieces of sandpaper wound round a finger of each hand to rub together and create sounds.
- - Think about and use the sounds of daily life
Together with your child you could explore the sounds heard on different journeys. For example:
- What does the journey to the park sound like – what may we hear on the way?
- A journey around a supermarket will involve a range of different sounds.
- A journey to school, whether by foot, by bus or in a car will also involve a range of sounds.
Listen out for sounds on journeys with your child and think about how these sounds could be recreated at home? You could make a piece of music together that represents different types of journeys that you make. Are there any surprises on your journey and what may this sound like? Invite your child to draw a journey and then play this journey by using body percussion, vocals and sound makers in the home.
4 - Use drawing to think about music
Drawing to sounds and music can be a lovely listening activity, you can invite your child to ‘dance with their hands’ whilst using their crayons, pencils, felt tips, paint brushes, encouraging them to listen to the music and respond to the music through their visual art. You can explore this with different types of music – watch your child, do the contrasting sections affect how they draw or paint? Experiment with different types of music. Does your child have a preference for pieces of music to draw/paint to?
5 - Charanga Musical School features a home learning section called YUMU, which Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children can all access from home using their personal school login. YUMU includes musical pieces in many different styles with accompanying fun learning activities just like the activities the children do at school.
Alternatively, try using educational tool Play It! to explore the different elements and instruments of song.
READING IN MUSIC
You can also nurture your child’s passion for music through their love of reading. The link here gives recommendations for music themed books, both fiction and non-fiction, suitable for children of all ages. There are reviews by children, and a brief outline of each book to help you to choose.